painted pumpkins

This Halloween I have come to realize-I'm a painted pumpkin person. I love the look of a jack-o-lantern and I completely appreciate the artistic endeavors of the ambitious carver, but paint is it for me.

These bat pumpkins are definitely on my list for next year. The white one is just awesome.

Stencil painting makes for more grown-up looking autumn decor (unnecessary in these parts, but still lovely!).

A project I wish I had seen a week ago- these mini pumpkins transformed into black cats....

This is surprisingly one of my favorite... the subtle tones/striking graphics combination is perfect. 

 

Last year I saw this design somewhere in cyberspace and I have copied it many times. I love it- the clown pumpkin....

Images: northtexaskids, itallstartedwithpaint, pinterest, allyou, better homes and gardens, me

tree ghosts

 

Ghosts in the trees are an easy way to spook up the yard. We put our ghosts up two weekends ago and they have survived the elements -smiles and boos in tact.
All you need for these particular apparitions is a couple of yards of muslin, Styrofoam balls (in any craft store), twine, fishing line and a sharpie. I am hoping they will last for another Halloween season or two. So far, these ghosts seem to have haunting staying power!

pumpkin welcome

It appears to be a very New England thing to place small pumpkins on the entryway ledge. In an attempt to wow you with how charming this autumn tradition can be, I actually found very limited photography on the subject. In my town alone I can think of a half a dozen great examples (must remember to snap shots of these spots).

Seeing as how I am from New England and that I love it even more than usual in the fall months, I am a big fan of the pumpkin welcome.....

 

 

sharonlovejoy, cozylittlehouse, susanbranch, katyelliott (3), swoonstylehome



dying for Halloween die cuts

via halloween_guy

I've decided this year that we will become Halloween people. Try as I might to diminish it - Christmas and Thanksgiving are stressful. There is too much traveling, too much spending, too much stuff you HAVE to do. Halloween doesn't seem to have all those trappings and family obligations. It also takes place during the best time of year. Plus (hello?) there is nothing better than toddler costumes and free candy. 

What's also fun about Halloween is that we get to begin from scratch. There are no inherited decorations or knickknacks that one feels obligated to bring out very year. We get to pick out our own stuff. So the first thing I started looking for are old school Halloween die cuts (also called "cut outs" or super awesome teacher bulletin board art). Yes, I'm talking about those old school double-sided posters. Corny? No doubt. Expensive? Surprisingly so for used cardboard. Worth it? Totally. Because we are Halloween people and we do Halloween right.

via Halloween Cats

via riptheskull

via space24retro

via shabbyshopgirls

via Jenna Valentine